American Old Time Song Lyrics: 17 Will Watch

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 17

WILL WATCH.

'Twas one morn, when the wind from the Northward blew keenly,
While sullenly roared the big waves of the main.
A famed smuggler, Will Watch, kissed his Sue, then serenely.
Took helm, and to ®ea boldly steered out again.
Will had promised his Sue that this trip, if well ended,
Would coil up his hopes, and he'd anchor on shore ;
When his pockets were lined, why, his life should be mended.
The laws he had broken he'd never break more. '

Mis sea-boat was trim, made her port, took her lading,
Then Will stood for home, reached the offing, and cried :
This night, if I've luck, furls the sails of my trading,
In dock I can lie, and a friend serve beside.
Will lay-to till the night came on darksome and dreary,
To crowd every sail then he piped tip each hand ;
But a signal soon spied, 'twas a prospect uncheery,
A signal that warned him to bear from the land.

The Philistines are out, cries Will, we'll take no heed on't.
Attacked, who's the man that will flinch from his gun?
Should my head be blown off, I shall never feel the need on't
We'll fight while we can ; when we can't, boys, we'll run.
Through the haze of the night a bright flesh now appearing.
Oh! now, cries, Will Watch, the Philistines bear down ;
Bear-a-hand, my tight lads, ere we think about sheering.
One broadside pour in, should we swim, boys, or drown.

But should I be popped off, you, my mates, left behind me.
Regard my last words, see them kindly obeyed,
Let no stone mark the spot, and, my friends, do you mind me I
Near the beach is the grave where Will Watch would be laid.
Poor Willie's yarn was spun out-for a bullet next minute
Laid him low on the deck, and he never spoke more ;
His bold crew fought the brig while a shot remained in it.
Then sheered-and Will's hull to his Susan they bore.

In the dead of the night his last wish was complied with,
To few known his grave, and to few known his end ;
He was borne to the earth by the crew that he died with.
He'd the tears of his Susan, the prayers of each friend.
Near his grave dash the billows, the winds loudly bellow.
You ash, struck with lightning, points out the cold bed.
Where Will Watch, the bold smuggler, that famed lawless fellow.
Once feared, now forgot, sleeps in peace with the dead.